Effects of nutrition and photoperiod on reproductive physiology of Microtus montanus

¹ Department of Zoology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana

A total of 140 pairs (one male, one female) of known-age virgin Microtus montanus was used in two experiments lasting 18 weeks each. Pairs were divided into two groups, one placed under 18 hr, the other under 6 hr of artificial illumination daily. Under each of the two photoperiods, half of the pairs received a dietary supplement of sprouted wheat every 3 days (G), the other half every 15 days (D). The G groups produced significantly more litters and offspring than did the D groups. Irrespective of diet, mean litter size was significantly larger under 18-hr than under 6-hr illumination. Any superiority in reproductive performance due to diet could be attributed solely to frequent (G) supplementation with sprouted wheat. "Plant estrogens" are tentatively postulated as the active principle. Diet and photoperiod interact in their influence on reproductive physiology (G-18 was the most productive group, D-6 the least productive).

Key Words: reproduction

Submitted on March 16, 1964

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